The original ZDX concept was penned by Michelle Christensen who labeled it a "4-door luxury sports coupe" and which Acura says "blurs the distinction between coupe, sedan and sport utility vehicle."[2]
The ZDX features Acura's first six speed automatic transmission, advanced ventilated seats, as well as other luxury appointments. Although the ZDX shares a similar profile with the Honda Crosstour,[3] the two vehicles are not mechanically related: the latter is based on the Honda Accord, while the ZDX is based on the Honda Pilot/Acura MDX.[4]
The ZDX nameplate returned to Acura's lineup in 2024 as the brand's first electric vehicle. The new ZDX was co-developed with General Motors.[5]
Concept version
The ZDX concept
Teaser shots released by Acura in March 2009 indicated a coupe-like sloping roofline akin to that of the BMW X6. After naming the vehicle ZDX, Acura added the words "Luxury Four-Door Sports Coupe" to the caption for each picture. Moreover, it did not state the vehicle as a crossover or an SUV.[6] The automaker translated the designers renderings closely into production form.
The production version of the Acura ZDX includes a 3,664 cc (3.664 L; 223.6 cu in) SOHC VTECV6 all-aluminum engine rated 300 bhp (220 kW) at 6300 rpm and 270 lb⋅ft (366 N⋅m) at 4500 rpm, 6-speed automatic transmission, Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD), 19-inch, 7-spoke alloy wheels, panoramic glass roof with movable sunshades, hand-stitched leather interior, HandsFreeLink Bluetooth connectivity, power tailgate, and a high-powered audio system with CD player, AM/FM/XM Satellite Radio and USB audio interface with iPod integration. Sales began in winter 2009.[8][9][10]
For 2013, Acura sold the ZDX in only one trim level. Acura cut costs by eliminating CMBS, ACC and IDS and replaced them with Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), redesigned front grille, integrated parking sensors, power-folding auto-dimming side mirrors, and new dark accents for the wheels. This resulted in a lower retail price than the previous year's Advance model.
United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) fuel consumption estimates for all models are 16 mpg‑US (15 L/100 km; 19 mpg‑imp) in the city, 22 mpg‑US (11 L/100 km; 26 mpg‑imp) on the highway and 19 mpg‑US (12 L/100 km; 23 mpg‑imp) combined.
Discontinuation
The ZDX was discontinued after the 2013 model year due to poor sales, and in a statement from Honda, "as the Acura brand sharpens its focus on new models and core products."[11] The ZDX was the rarest of US-manufactured Acura offerings, with a total of 7,191 vehicles produced and sold in North America.
Acura unveiled the all-electric ZDX in August 2023. The first EV in Acura's lineup, the new ZDX is co-developed using General Motors' Ultium vehicle architecture that currently underpins the Cadillac Lyriq, Chevrolet Blazer EV and the Honda Prologue, itself slated for a 2024 release. Similar to the Prologue, it shares many components with the Blazer EV, including the steering wheel, climate setting controls, and door handles. Additionally, it shares its powertrain with the Cadillac Lyriq.
Compared to the original ZDX, the 2nd generation ZDX has a more traditional roofline. The ZDX gains an A-Spec single-motor configuration, and a Type S performance variant, the latter of which is estimated to give 500hp, making it the most powerful SUV ever produced by Acura.
It is the first Acura to implement several technologies and features. The standard 18-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system marks the debut of Acura's partnership with the company. The infotainment system has Google Built-in, which is the first implementation of Android Automotive in an Acura, though it is a reskin of GM's version rather than the Honda developed version seen in the Accord. Additionally, the ZDX will debut a new hands-free highway driving assistance system called AcuraWatch 360+ with Hands Free Cruise.
Production of the ZDX began in early 2024 with sales starting in May 2024. Through November 2024, ZDX sales totaled 5,543. [15]
Rear view
Powertrain
The ZDX has three different powertrain options. First is the base single-motor, rear-wheel drive A-Spec which outputs 358 hp (267 kW; 363 PS) and 324 lb⋅ft (439 N⋅m) of torque. The all-wheel drive A-Spec has an additional motor powering the front wheels and makes 490 hp (370 kW; 500 PS) and 437 lb⋅ft (592 N⋅m) of torque. A higher output version of this setup is used in the Type S, where it produces a slightly increased 500 hp (370 kW; 510 PS) and a significantly higher 544 lb⋅ft (738 N⋅m) of torque.
All versions use GM's 102kWh lithium-ion modular Ultium battery, which is also used in the Cadillac Lyriq. It allows the single-motor A-Spec model an EPA range of 313 miles (504 km), while the dual-motor version achieves 304 miles (489 km). The Type S, which has larger 22-inch wheels, achieves a lower 278 miles (447 km) of range. The ZDX can DC fast charge at up to 190kW, which Acura claims allows single motor models to add 81 miles (130 km) of range in 10 minutes, and can charge the battery from 20-80% in 42 minutes. An onboard AC charger allows for a claimed charging rate of 29.4 miles (47.3 km) per hour.
All versions have a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 lb (1,600 kg).
^"Acura ZDX prototype". Archived from the original on February 1, 2013. Retrieved April 8, 2009. Acura ZDX prototype: The dynamic ZDX is the first car styled start-to-finish at Acura's new design studio in Torrance. Not a bad first effort.
^Alterman, Eddie (August 2009). "2010 Acura ZDX". Car and Driver. Retrieved September 2, 2016. ... seats two to three fewer occupants than the MDX and Honda Pilot SUVs on which it's based.
^"2013 Acura ZDX Luxury Crossover To Get Numerous Enhancements in its Final Model Year". Retrieved October 10, 2012. The innovative and stylish Acura ZDX crossover vehicle, introduced in 2009, will receive numerous styling and technology enhancements for the 2013 model year, which will be the final year on the market for ZDX as the Acura brand sharpens its focus on new models and core products, the company announced today.
^"Ratings". NHTSA. June 10, 2016. Retrieved July 10, 2018.
